Every Actor Should be Involved Backstage At Least Once

It is often said that “actors without stagehands are naked people
standing in the dark trying to emote on a stage.” This couldn’t be a truer statement. But yet, many actors
are unappreciative of what the people backstage do. I believe this has
nothing to do with the actor’s ego. Many (not all) actors are so focused
on what they need to be doing that they tend to forget about the people
who work hard to make the show possible. Because of this, I believe
that every actor should work backstage at least once.

When an
actor works backstage they get to see the other side of things. They get
to see the rest of the hard work that goes into a show. They get to
experience the actors that get in the way of the stagehands that are
just trying to do their job. It helps build an appreciation of what goes
on behind the scenes.

Not only does working backstage help you
build an appreciation, but it can help with getting hired. One of my
professors kept emphasizing how it important it is that we as actors get
backstage experience. Many summer stock companies or small theatres
will hire actors with backstage experience and technical skills than
those that don’t because they are more useful.

I am an actor
before anything else, but I love when I get the chance to work backstage
for a show. I love being a part of the process and seeing everything
that goes into it. I feel that it has helped build my love for theatre
and has made me more versatile of a person.

I can think of many
pros as to why actors should get backstage experience but there seem to
be no cons. Who knows, maybe stagehands should get some onstage
experience too.

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